Act I, Scene 1 1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus? She thinks that, even though they seem so long like what Theseus thinks. It’s going to pass so quick
2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do? He has brought them to Theseus because Hermia (his daughter) loves Lysander but Egeus wants her to marry Demetrius. So he has come to ask if Theseus to grant him the power to force his daughter to marry or the ability to kill her.
3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia? That the father of the daughter or women had to marry who the father wanted them too, or they would get to kill them.
4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things? So Egeus would change his mind about him, possibly hoping that he would then say that he (Lysander) could marry Hermia. 5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena? They plan to sneak out the next night, meet in the forest and run away to Lysander’s aunt house just outside of the Athen’s law. They tell Helena because they know that she likes him, but he loves Hermia (she doesn’t), also so she feels like Hermia isn’t there to “take” him from Helena.
6. Even though Helena loves Demetrius and is Hermia’s best friend, why does she decide to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans? Because she thinks that if he knows what Hermia is planning on doing that he will fall back in love with Helena.
7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest? Her dilemma is that her father doesn’t want her marrying Lysander. Theseus says that Hermia has three choices, 1 she can marry Demetrius like her father wants, 2 her father has the right to kill her if she doesn’t marry him or 3 she can join a nunnery. Lysander suggestions that they elope and get married at his aunt’s house.
Act I, Scene 2 8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts? Because he thinks he’s just that good of an actor that he would be able to play all parts. 9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene? This scene is funny because of all the examples Bottom gives to “prove” that he could play all of the characters. Shakespeare might have included this scene to show how Bottom thinks he’s “all that” but also to get away from all the “seriousness” of the other scene. 10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time? The plan on meeting in the forest, same place, same time as Hermia and Lysander. 11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability? He seems like he’s been in a few plays, but could use some more experience. Bottom himself makes it seem like he could play any role with “award winning” efforts.
Moon Images by Tess and Talon
Act II, Scene 110. What does the reader find out about the current relationship between Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, Queen of the Fairies, from Puck and the first fairy? That whenever they meet they just fight.
11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens? Titanis said that Oberon was cheating on her with Hippolyta. Oberon says that Titanis was cheating on him with Theseus.
12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans? 13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon? Because she said that she wouldn’t, when the child's mother died.
14. What does Oberon send Puck to find? Panies. Flowers which were hit by Cupid’s bow.
15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania? For Puck to put one of the juices of the panies into Titania’s eyes while she sleeps to fall madly in love with the first living thing she see.
16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse? She doesn’t care, as long as long as she is with him, she feels safe. She just more determined to follow him.
17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse? She is just more determined to follow him.
18. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women? She basically says “please, do what you want, as long as I am with you I don’t care.” Which in Athens the women would be frowned upon for that.
19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena? Put some of the panies juie in Demetrius’ eyes, so that he would have the same love for Helena as Helena has for him.
Act II, Scene 220. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing? Because he thinks it would be hilarious if she fell deeply in love with an of some sort.
21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her? They weren’t married yet.
22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes? The panies juice.
23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens? She thinks that he is just mocking her.
24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality? Her dream is like reality because Lysander no longer loves her and isn’t there because he has left trying to find his “true love” Helena. Reasoning being Puck put the panies juices in Lysander’s and not Demetrius.
Act III, Scene 1
25. How are the actors going to keep from scaring the ladies when Pyramus kills himself or when the lion roars? They are creating a prologue.
26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall? For the moonlight their going to let it in by a window and for the wall they are getting a man to dress up as one.
27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears? Because they are surprised or frightened.
28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors? He says that he’ll be an auditor.
29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies? At first he says that she has no reason to love him but then likes the fact that all the fairies are pampering to is every need.
30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play? He’s referring to the situation with Helena, Hermia and Lysander
Act III, Scene 2
31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing? Killing Lysander in his sleep.
32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake? make them all fall asleep use the “love juice” again and make them awake to the person they are actually supposed to love.
33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along? Because she believes that he is just making fun of her.
34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia? She says that Hermia got the men to starting acting like this.
35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past? They were best friends, like sisters.
36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says? He is treating her rudely and she can’t believe it because she thought he loved her.
37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena? Hermia says that Helena has turned against her.
38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia? She has no more strength because she is mad.
39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do? fight to the death for helena
40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men? make them fall asleep.
41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania? Tell her it was all just a dream.
42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day? Because he thinks that Titania will find out.
43. How well does Puck’s trickery work? It all worked in the end.
Review Question: The climax, or turning point, of A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes at the end of Act 3. In point form describe the major plot points of Act Three starting from when Titania falls in love with Bottom leading to the climax or turning point of the play near the end of act three.
Titania awakens and falls in love with Bottom, who at this point is an ass (Oberon very happy).
Oberon wants to know about the Athain lovers (Helena & Demetrius)
Hermia convinced Demetrius killed Lysander.
Helena thinks that Lysander is mocking her.
Demetrius (with panies juice in his eyes) is waken up by Helena, falls in love with her.
Helena believes both men are mocking her.
Hermia arrives to see Lysander in love with Helena.
Puck makes men fall asleep, puts more love juice in theirs eyes (so they will fall in love with the right person).
Then gets women to fall asleep.
Act IV, Scene 1 44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies? He’s getting quite used to it.
45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom? Surprised she still loved him.
46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her? that it was all a dream.
47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning? for the right of May.
48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods? That they all got up early to do what they were doing (they being Theseus’ and the rest), but fell asleep.
49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness? That Helena told him that Hermia and Lysander were going to the woods so that’s why he’s there. Helena as a illness because you can’t stop it, just like you can’t stop love.
50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people? To go with Egeus wants or to let them marry.
51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming? because it’s “...seem small and undistinguishable”.
52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? He will sing to the Duke in the latter end of the play.
Act IV, Scene 2 53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost? To cancel the play.
54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play? One of the actors will be hanged.
55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? So they can perform their play.
Extending the thought process.
a) The fourth act opens and ends with Bottom at center stage. What is your opinion of Bottom’s character? How might he be the antithesis, or opposite, of Theseus’s character? I feel as though Bottom is very full of himself. That he can do anything and everything and do it with an amazing grace. Bottom, I would say, is the opposite of Theseus because Theseus seems to be a people pleaser who has no backbone when Hippolyta is around. Bottom doesn’t care what people think of him plus isn’t a people pleaser.
b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience? They question what has happened, and now Demetrius has changed his opinion on who he loves. He love Helena again.
c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation? I believe Shakespeare is trying to say you make or choose who you love, love chooses you.
Bottom's Ballad by Tess and Talon
Act V 56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people?Because they were all the same.
57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? Because he liked the fact that the people performing weren't actual actors and just normal everyday people.
58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it? he doesn't want them to perform.
59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? Nothing can go wrong as long as it’s from the heart.
60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? Nothing.
61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? To give an idea of how they are feeling while watching it.
62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? At first thinking that they are all bad actors then when it finishes she thought it wasn’t all that bad.
63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous? Well from the being of the play-within-a-play started it was just one big mess, then all of a sudden it was real acting.
64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do? Go spread light throughout the city.
65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? To end the play.
Extending the thought process:
FInd at least one example of each of the following that occurs during the play within the play. Write down the quote that illustrates example. excessive alliteration - breaking the play’s illusion of reality -”No, in truth, sir, he should not. “Deceiving me” is Thisbe’s sue.” using the wrong word or name - “I see a voice” repeating a word excessively - “...And thou O wall, O sweet, O lovely wall” ridiculous metaphor -”A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus and his love Thisbe, very tragical mirth”
a) In reading the play-within-a-play, we become the audience for the drama played out by Theseus, Hippolyta, and the others. These performers, in turn, form the audience for the reenactment of Pyramus and Thisbe. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audience and performers?
Lets you see how they are making fun of the play.
b) Modern television shows often create comic effects by having a silly, innocent, or “clueless” character and a sarcastic, knowing, clever character play off of each other. What examples can you think of?
Modern Family
Saturday Night Live
MTV Live
c) Identify ways in which Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration. Are there any ways in which the play might be appropriate? In what ways is the play-within-a-play an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers (Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia) have gone through earlier?
Not suitable:
Weddings are happy/joyful and the play was about death.
Suitable:
Weddings are about love and the play was about true love.
The play-within-a-play is similar in the fact that there was a lot of love going around.
Act I, Scene 1
1. How is Hippolyta’s reasoning concerning how quickly the next four days will pass different from that of Theseus? She thinks that, even though they seem so long like what Theseus thinks. It’s going to pass so quick
2. Why has Egeus brought his daughter and her two suitors to Theseus? What does Egeus expect him to do? He has brought them to Theseus because Hermia (his daughter) loves Lysander but Egeus wants her to marry Demetrius. So he has come to ask if Theseus to grant him the power to force his daughter to marry or the ability to kill her.
3. What was the proper role for women/daughters in Athenian society according to Egeus and Theseus? What is Theseus’s ruling concerning Hermia? That the father of the daughter or women had to marry who the father wanted them too, or they would get to kill them.
4. How does Lysander’s comment about Demetrius’s previous love affair with Helena complicate things?
So Egeus would change his mind about him, possibly hoping that he would then say that he (Lysander) could marry Hermia.
5. What do Lysander and Hermia plan to do about this seemingly impossible situation? Why do they tell Helena? They plan to sneak out the next night, meet in the forest and run away to Lysander’s aunt house just outside of the Athen’s law. They tell Helena because they know that she likes him, but he loves Hermia (she doesn’t), also so she feels like Hermia isn’t there to “take” him from Helena.
6. Even though Helena loves Demetrius and is Hermia’s best friend, why does she decide to tell Demetrius of Hermia and Lysander’s plans? Because she thinks that if he knows what Hermia is planning on doing that he will fall back in love with Helena.
7. Identify Hermia’s basic dilemma. What are the choices outlined for her by Theseus and her father? What other choice does Lysander suggest? Her dilemma is that her father doesn’t want her marrying Lysander. Theseus says that Hermia has three choices, 1 she can marry Demetrius like her father wants, 2 her father has the right to kill her if she doesn’t marry him or 3 she can join a nunnery. Lysander suggestions that they elope and get married at his aunt’s house.
Act I, Scene 2
8. Why does Nick Bottom want to play all the parts?
Because he thinks he’s just that good of an actor that he would be able to play all parts.
9. In what way is this scene funny? Why do you suppose Shakespeare included this scene?
This scene is funny because of all the examples Bottom gives to “prove” that he could play all of the characters. Shakespeare might have included this scene to show how Bottom thinks he’s “all that” but also to get away from all the “seriousness” of the other scene.
10. Where are the actors to meet the following night? Who else is meeting there at the same time?
The plan on meeting in the forest, same place, same time as Hermia and Lysander.
11. How would you describe Bottom’s acting ability? What is Bottom’s own opinion of his acting ability?
He seems like he’s been in a few plays, but could use some more experience. Bottom himself makes it seem like he could play any role with “award winning” efforts.
Moon Images by Tess and Talon
Act II, Scene 1 10. What does the reader find out about the current relationship between Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, Queen of the Fairies, from Puck and the first fairy? That whenever they meet they just fight.
11. How have Oberon and Titania been involved in the past with Theseus and Hippolyta; why have they come to Athens? Titanis said that Oberon was cheating on her with Hippolyta. Oberon says that Titanis was cheating on him with Theseus.
12. What effect has their quarrel had on nature, on the seasons, on humans? 13. Why won’t Titania give up the changeling to Oberon? Because she said that she wouldn’t, when the child's mother died.
14. What does Oberon send Puck to find? Panies. Flowers which were hit by Cupid’s bow.
15. What are Oberon’s plans for Titania? For Puck to put one of the juices of the panies into Titania’s eyes while she sleeps to fall madly in love with the first living thing she see.
16. How does Helena react to Demetrius’s verbal abuse? She doesn’t care, as long as long as she is with him, she feels safe. She just more determined to follow him.
17. What is her response to his threats of physical abuse? She is just more determined to follow him.
18. In what way is Helena’s behaviour inappropriate for Athenian women? She basically says “please, do what you want, as long as I am with you I don’t care.” Which in Athens the women would be frowned upon for that.
19. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about Demetrius and Helena? Put some of the panies juie in Demetrius’ eyes, so that he would have the same love for Helena as Helena has for him.
Act II, Scene 2 20. Why does Oberon want Titania to wake and fall in love with some vile thing? Because he thinks it would be hilarious if she fell deeply in love with an of some sort.
21. Why does Hermia insist Lysander sleep a little ways from her? They weren’t married yet.
22. Why does Puck anoint Lysander’s eyes? The panies juice.
23. How does Helena react to Lysander’s sudden love for her when he awakens? She thinks that he is just mocking her.
24. How is Hermia’s dream a reflection of reality? Her dream is like reality because Lysander no longer loves her and isn’t there because he has left trying to find his “true love” Helena. Reasoning being Puck put the panies juices in Lysander’s and not Demetrius.
Act III, Scene 1
25. How are the actors going to keep from scaring the ladies when Pyramus kills himself or when the lion roars? They are creating a prologue.
26. How are the actors going to manage the setting/scenery such as the moonlight and the wall? For the moonlight their going to let it in by a window and for the wall they are getting a man to dress up as one.
27. Why do the rest of the actors run off when Bottom reappears? Because they are surprised or frightened.
28. What does Puck plan to do when he follows after the other actors? He says that he’ll be an auditor.
29. How does Bottom react to Titania and the other fairies? At first he says that she has no reason to love him but then likes the fact that all the fairies are pampering to is every need.
30. Bottom says, "…reason and love keep little company together nowadays." Why is this such an apt statement at this point in the play? He’s referring to the situation with Helena, Hermia and Lysander
Act III, Scene 2
31. What does Hermia accuse Demetrius of doing? Killing Lysander in his sleep.
32. How are Puck and Oberon going to correct Puck’s earlier mistake? make them all fall asleep use the “love juice” again and make them awake to the person they are actually supposed to love.
33. Why is Helena upset when Demetrius says he loves her? Isn’t this what she had wanted all along? Because she believes that he is just making fun of her.
34. Of what does Helena accuse Hermia? She says that Hermia got the men to starting acting like this.
35. How close had Hermia and Helena been in the past? They were best friends, like sisters.
36. How does Lysander treat Hermia? Why can’t she believe what he says? He is treating her rudely and she can’t believe it because she thought he loved her.
37. Of what does Hermia accuse Helena? Hermia says that Helena has turned against her.
38. Why is Helena afraid of Hermia? She has no more strength because she is mad.
39. What are Lysander and Demetrius going off to do? fight to the death for helena
40. What does Oberon tell Puck to do about the two young men? make them fall asleep.
41. What is Oberon going to do about Titania? Tell her it was all just a dream.
42. Why doesn’t Oberon fear the coming of day? Because he thinks that Titania will find out.
43. How well does Puck’s trickery work? It all worked in the end.
Review Question: The climax, or turning point, of A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes at the end of Act 3. In point form describe the major plot points of Act Three starting from when Titania falls in love with Bottom leading to the climax or turning point of the play near the end of act three.
Act IV, Scene 1
44. How has Bottom adjusted to the attention of Titania and her fairies? He’s getting quite used to it.
45. What is Oberon’s reaction to Titania’s infatuation with Bottom? Surprised she still loved him.
46. What sort of explanation will Oberon make to Titania’s question about what happened to her? that it was all a dream.
47. Why are Theseus, Hippolyta, Egeus, and the others out in the woods so early in the morning? for the right of May.
48. What is Theseus’s first explanation of why the young people are asleep in the woods? That they all got up early to do what they were doing (they being Theseus’ and the rest), but fell asleep.
49. What explanation does Demetrius make? Why does he compare his love for Hermia to an illness? That Helena told him that Hermia and Lysander were going to the woods so that’s why he’s there. Helena as a illness because you can’t stop it, just like you can’t stop love.
50. What is Theseus’s decision concerning the four young people? To go with Egeus wants or to let them marry.
51. Why can’t the young people be sure whether they are awake or dreaming? because it’s “...seem small and undistinguishable”.
52. Bottom believes he too has had a dream. How is he going to use that to entertain the Duke? He will sing to the Duke in the latter end of the play.
Act IV, Scene 2
53. What opinion do the other artisans now have of Bottom since they think he is lost? To cancel the play.
54. What do they most regret losing by not being able to perform the play? One of the actors will be hanged.
55. Why must the artisans hurry to the Duke’s palace? So they can perform their play.
Extending the thought process.
a) The fourth act opens and ends with Bottom at center stage. What is your opinion of Bottom’s character? How might he be the antithesis, or opposite, of Theseus’s character? I feel as though Bottom is very full of himself. That he can do anything and everything and do it with an amazing grace. Bottom, I would say, is the opposite of Theseus because Theseus seems to be a people pleaser who has no backbone when Hippolyta is around. Bottom doesn’t care what people think of him plus isn’t a people pleaser.
b) How do most of the dreamers respond to the dream experience upon waking? Which character is changed permanently by the dream experience? They question what has happened, and now Demetrius has changed his opinion on who he loves. He love Helena again.
c) In this act, several characters look back at prior infatuations with disbelief. What do you think Shakespeare is saying about love and infatuation? I believe Shakespeare is trying to say you make or choose who you love, love chooses you.
Bottom's Ballad by Tess and Talon
Act V
56. Why does Theseus dismiss the stories of the four young people? Because they were all the same.
57. Why does Theseus choose to see the play about Pyramus and Thisby rather than the other entertainments? Because he liked the fact that the people performing weren't actual actors and just normal everyday people.
58. Why does Philostrate try to keep Theseus from seeing the play? What does he say is wrong with it? he doesn't want them to perform.
59. What does Theseus mean by the lines, "For never anything can be amiss, when simpleness and duty tender it"? Nothing can go wrong as long as it’s from the heart.
60. What is accomplished by having the Prologue tell the whole story that the actors are then going to enact? Nothing.
61. How does Shakespeare use comments from the audience to enhance the humour of the play that they are watching? To give an idea of how they are feeling while watching it.
62. What is Hippolyta’s reaction to the play? At first thinking that they are all bad actors then when it finishes she thought it wasn’t all that bad.
63. In what way is Thisby’s final speech humorous? Well from the being of the play-within-a-play started it was just one big mess, then all of a sudden it was real acting.
64. What does Oberon tell the fairies to do? Go spread light throughout the city.
65. What is the purpose of Puck’s final speech? To end the play.
Extending the thought process:
FInd at least one example of each of the following that occurs during the play within the play. Write down the quote that illustrates example.
excessive alliteration -
breaking the play’s illusion of reality -”No, in truth, sir, he should not. “Deceiving me” is Thisbe’s sue.”
using the wrong word or name - “I see a voice”
repeating a word excessively - “...And thou O wall, O sweet, O lovely wall”
ridiculous metaphor -”A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus and his love Thisbe, very tragical mirth”
a) In reading the play-within-a-play, we become the audience for the drama played out by Theseus, Hippolyta, and the others. These performers, in turn, form the audience for the reenactment of Pyramus and Thisbe. How does observing another audience help you understand the relationship between audience and performers?
Lets you see how they are making fun of the play.b) Modern television shows often create comic effects by having a silly, innocent, or “clueless” character and a sarcastic, knowing, clever character play off of each other. What examples can you think of?
c) Identify ways in which Pyramus and Thisbe might be unsuitable for a wedding celebration. Are there any ways in which the play might be appropriate? In what ways is the play-within-a-play an ironic commentary on what the two pairs of young lovers (Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia) have gone through earlier?
Not suitable:Suitable:
The play-within-a-play is similar in the fact that there was a lot of love going around.